Technology and Science

OPPO Digital LT2007 20-inch LCD-TV DVD Combo Player Review

November 21, 2006

The OPPO Digital LT2007 20-inch LCD-TV DVD Combo Player is an interesting "combination" device, combining a 181-channel TV tuner, VGA input for PC/laptop video support, built-in DVD player, 5-in-1 USB Memory Card reader, component ports, built-in speakers, and a remote control -- all in a small, elegant, and stylish design that is perfectly suited for kitchens, dorms, dens, or other rooms with limited space. Oppo sent me a review unit to check out and put through the paces.

For my first test I inserted the DVD movie Cellular into the front-loading DVD slot. Similar to cars' in-dash DVD/CD players, the DVD player automatically "catches" the DVD disc as you insert it. Using the ultra-thin remote control, which actually uses a thin watch battery, I was able to easily navigate the DVD menus and start the movie.

Posted in Digital Cameras, Gadgets, Home Entertainment, MP3 Players & Digital Audio, Reviews, Technology and Science, Video Hardware & Software

Add Segway to the List of Companies with Problems ...

September 15, 2006

Not that Segway hasn't had enough problems since the hugely underwhelming launch of its Human Transporter -- its "electrical scooter for use in human areas."

(It would have been much better for the company to tone down the pre-launch hype frenzy; better to under promise and over deliver than vice versa.)

Word just in that they are recalling all of their products that have been sold so far (24,000 or so) because the device can suddenly change directions for no apparent reason. (Doesn't sound like fun.)

You know, I like the concept (but not necessarily the product design), and maybe it has a place in our future ...

Anybody have any ideas?

Posted in Technology and Science

(Green)Peace, Baby!

August 30, 2006

It's not easy being green, but gadget companies do have a sense of "eco-friendliness," according to Greenpeace, which has recently rated CE companies in its Green Electronics Guide.

Apparently Nokia's decision to distance itself from PVC resulted in high marks in the Guide, while Lenovo, which bought IBM's PC business, scored the lowest in the survey, although the computer maker defends its environmental record.

According to the company: "Lenovo meets or exceeds applicable environmental regulations globally, and we don't believe Greenpeace's ranking accurately reflects Lenovo's environmental record," according to a company statement.

Read more about it at Network World or at greenpeace.org.

Posted in Technology and Science

AVG Anti-virus Free Edition displays Become Legal to force pirated users to pay up

August 16, 2006

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition now complains (as of 2 days ago) if it detects you have more than 1 machine at home running AVG Free Edition. It then displays a popup message with a hyperlink to 'become legal'. Clicking the link brings you to AVG's website where you are offered the paid professional version to purchase. It welcomes you with what I took as a sarcastic "Welcome to the legal AVG community!".

Popup message with link asking you to Become Legal

AVG became very popular with many users since it essentially offers a feature-packed anti-virus program free of charge with free antivirus signature file updates.

Posted in Microsoft, Technology and Science

Microsoft "Genuine Advantage" cracked

August 9, 2006

Microsoft "Genuine Advantage" was cracked in just 24 hours according to a 2005 Boing Boing article. The crack simply required adding some Javascript to your browser window.

Before pressing 'Custom' or 'Express' buttons paste this text to the address bar and press enter:

javascript:void(window.g_sDisableWGACheck='all')

It turns off the trigger for the key check.

This simply crack used to work, but Microsoft is now getting serious about stopping pirated software. Just today, Microsoft Watch stated "Come this fall, however, the Redmond software maker is planning to turn up the Genuine Advantage heat in two ways: By baking more Genuine Advantage checks directly into Windows Vista, and by taking aim at PC makers, system builders, Internet cafes and other sources of potentially pirated software."

YIKES! Maybe it's time to buy some Microsoft stock since no doubt MS will get a stock boost from many illigitimate users simply paying for a legitimate copy rather than play "tit for tat" with Microsoft, which keeps "tweaking" the WGA code to thwart users using pirated versions of Windows XP/2003 (and soon Vista).

But if your so inclined to play the "game" of hacking WGA and are looking for other methods of cracking Microsoft Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) you can check out the plethora of comments below for various cracking methods.

Posted in Technology and Science

Smell-O-Vision

August 7, 2006

Now how about this one!

According to news from Yahoo! and the Associated Press, we now have a made-in-Japan device that records and reproduces smells!

That's right! Smell-O-Vision!

But seriously, folks, the Tokyo Institute of Technology's odor recorder can apparently analyze aromas and scents using 15 sensor chips.

(Institute is pictured -- within these hallowed halls ...)

But that's not all! It can then convert them into digital files that can later be reproduced by mixing 96 chemicals and vaporizing the result.

Some day we may have a gadget that can transmit smells digitally. (But not for those of us who are nasally challenged ...)

Makes me think: Holy cow Batman!

Posted in Technology and Science

Amazon, Google, Yahoo, eBay fight net neutrality with letter to Congress

July 13, 2006

Internet Titans Amazon, Google, Yahoo, eBay, and IAX/InterActiveCorp joined together in writing a letter to Congressional Senators expressing their concerns about net neutrality. This is a clash of the titans for sure. Congress and the telecom/cable lobbyists on one side and large Internet behemoths on the other. Of course, a letter is a bit weak.

Posted in News, Technology and Science, VoIP

BMW car that parks itself

July 12, 2006

Wired News reports on BMW working on technology that will allow cars to park themselves in cramped quarters, such as your garage. Unfortunately, you have to setup the area you want it to park by placing a reflective lens against the wall at the front end of the parking space, so it won't turn the steering wheel or parallel park for you. Essentially, the YouTube video shows the car automatically pulling in its side mirrors and then pulling itself straight into the garage. Kinda lame if you ask me, considering there is automobile technology going back to at least 2003 demonstrating cars with computers that can automatically parallel park in public.

Posted in Gadgets, Technology and Science

The Robot Hall of Fame

July 12, 2006

Posted in Android, Technology and Science

Cold Chips Go Very Fast!

July 6, 2006

Researchers at IBM and the Georgia Institute of Technology recently announced that they have broken the speed record for silicon-based chips with a semiconductor that operates 250 times faster than chips commonly used today. (New York Times reports.)

(No, not the chips on the left.)

The achievement has been called a major step in the evolution of computer semiconductor technology that could eventually lead to faster networks and more powerful electronics at lower prices.

Posted in Technology and Science

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